Breathing-John Ellis.

[dbacon]

Breathing-John Ellis


Breathing is the initial consciousness that becomes the first building-block to the heightened awareness of other facets of your life. As you breathe, you breathe with Beethoven and Buddha, with Mary and Socrates, with Miles and Bud. It's the same air.



In performance 90% of one's thoughts are on the music, 10% on wind. It is important to maintain a good balance between airflow and buoyancy. Remember to blow air at the point of the lips.



Exercises for breathing


To begin, relax completely. Stand with your feet shoulder width, knees slightly bent, back straight. Begin first by encouraging a full release of the air, easing it out as if the body were being emptied of air by a great leaden ball sinking through the chest and abdomen, and settling down into the ground. The returning breath is then allowed to follow as a simple reflex action. The air is not actively inhaled; it is just allowed to come—and then, when the lungs are comfortably filled, it is allowed to go out once more, the image of the leaden ball giving it the sense of “falling” out instead of being pushed out. This is called “watching and letting” the breath. Then try these exercises:



Breath in 5 counts, breath out 5 counts
Breathe in 3 counts, breathe out 3 counts
Breathe in 1 count, breathe out 1 count


Hold breath; feel comfortable experiencing atmospheric pressure without raising the shoulders unnaturally.


Breathe in and out noticing body expansion and relaxation.
a. From belt to rib cage

b. Chest

c. Abdomen relaxed

d. Neck relaxed

e. Keep mouth forming open vowels



Become aware of the sensations of breathing
a. listen to sound of air

b. see air

c. feel air at lips



Breathe in all the way
Blow out for 4 counts

Breathe in on 5th count. Repeat



Breathe in all the way
Blow out for 3 1/2 counts

Breathe in on 1/2 count. Repeat



THE DIAPHRAGM



• Dome-shaped muscle

• outer edge is attached to the bottom of the rib cage

• As it contracts it moves downward pulling lungs with it

• Relaxes in the support stage

• Support comes form abdominal muscles





POINTS OF RESISTANCE



• Throat or Glottis

• Tongue (front and back)

• Lips



COMMON PROBLEMS



• Chest breathing

• Stale air in chest

• Holding or setting breath

• Air speed too slow

[dbacon]

The tongue during inhalation remains low in the mouth, out of the way of the air stream. Think of the tongue as being melted to the bottom of the mouth. If the tongue raises at all it will offer resistence to the air flowing into the mouth, diffusing the air and causing excess work effort for the inhale muscles, adding tension. Tension during inhalation causes tension for the exhalation (muscle against muscle). Feel a coolness/dryness at the back of the throat during inhalation, if the air is warm at the back it's been effected by a high tongue position. Air outside your body is cooler than inside and if you inhale with a low open tongue position the air temperature will be cool at the back of the throat. Let the air drop right to the bottom of the lungs with little effort, get out of the way of the air rushing in to fill the vacum created by expanding the lungs. Listen to the sound the air makes as it rushes in. You should hear a deep "OOOH" sound, not a high pitched hissing sound. A breath that sounds good and open usually is a good breath.

Realx the muscles at the base of the tongue as you inhale.

[dbacon]

The relaxed lowered tongue position allows the air to pass through the mouth and throat with a full rushing quality rather than the hissing (white noise) sound that occurs when restrictions are encountered. The various strokes of the tongue, performed with the required speed, finesse and coordination, are best done with a relaxed tongue supported by a well blown air stream. If the tongue stiffens due to insufficient air flow your definition, smoothness, and speed suffer. A light, fast stroke of the tip of the tongue is all that's neccesary to interupt the air stream. If you use more of the tongue you reduce the speed and clarity of the articulation. Good articulation requires a well blown air stream that is interupted by a light, quick stroke of the tongue. A relaxed tongue is capable of smooth, flexible and quick articulations.

Thank you Keith Johnson!

[dbacon]

Smelling a Rose - "Backwards"

I know it sounds crazy, but I believe that is how your throat position should be for playing trumpet. Notice that when you really try to smell something how open your throat is? Well, remember that throat position, and play your trumpet. Yawning is also something to think, however when you think about yawning you usually do it. (Yawn!) There's a device called "Air Enhancer" by Alan Colin that's a great idea. If you don't have one, you can accomplish pretty much the same effect by trying to put all your fingers in your mouth and breath in. Then remember how your throat position was. "Your throat has a memory"

I disagree with teachers who teach the use of syllables. That brings the vocal chords into play which restricts air velocity. Also there are differences in player's throat sizes. I know I can swallow a whole handful of vitamins without water. I don't recommend that, it's much easier with water.

Walt Johnson